What is Multiculturism?

● Multiculturalism is the way in which a society deals with cultural diversity, both at the
national and at the community level.
● The term ‘multiculturalism’ is used as a descriptive concept; other times it is defined as a
kind of policy for responding to cultural diversity

a. Multiculturalism as a Describing Concept for Society

1. It is used to describe a society where a variety of different cultures coexist. Many

countries in the world are culturally diverse.
2. One example is Canada, including a variety of cultures such as English Canadians,
Quebecois, Native Americans, Amish, Hutterites and Chinese immigrants.

b. Multiculturalism as a Policy

1. Can also be used to refer to a kind of policy

2. It aims at addressing the different demands of cultural groups, refers to the different
normative challenges (ethnic conflict, internal illiberalism, federal autonomy)
3. For example, these are policies that aim at addressing the different normative
challenges that arise from minority groups, like Quebecois, wishing to have their own
institutions in a different language from the rest of Canada.

Why use technologies?

● Content delivery/revision
● Managing learning and resources
● Collaboration
● Communication

- Since educational computing is not culturally neutral, teachers in culturally diverse

settings must integrate the computer culture, the classroom culture, and students'
learning preferences. To meet the need for culturally and technologically competent
multicultural teachers, teacher education programs must first define both cultural
competency and computer competency.

- How teachers organize instruction (Newman, 1990, p. 8) and shape the classroom
culture have a definite impact on learning (Guernsey, 1989; Grossman, 1991).

- Computers can alter the teacher's goals, the allocation of class time, how children
participate, as well as the social and language processes with the classroom.
 - Children may have greater contact and experience with computers than teachers. The
older the child and the more financially affluent the family, the more likely it is that the
child has regular hands-on experience with computers.

- Students' future success depends on their ability to interact positively with people from
any background.

How to apply Cultural Literacy Skills in Context and Technology?

● Start with a lesson you are very familiar with and have taught before
● Focus on the learning objective
● Make it interactive and fun
● Problem based activities will engage and make relevant for students
● Do it yourself FIRST ( see one, do one, teach one)
● Build relationships
● Tap into students’ creativity